Anybody with gallstones still have their gallbladder?

[2026isnear]

Just found out I have a gallstone and now I’m freaking out about reading all the horrible pain stories on the internet. I don’t have any pain so I don’t think the consultant wants to do the surgery. Has anybody else got them and still got their gallbladder?

Similar case as yours and I live in uae . The surgeon said they don’t remove the gallbladder if no symptoms. Just chose healthier diet and to do an ultrasound once per year. She said her grandma had gallstones and died at 90+ with her gallbladder:)

@Sofita90thank you! That’s positive to hear. Just not liking the anxiety of thinking one day I could wake up in excruciating pain 😩

Yep, was scanned about 15 years ago and found to have loads. I went through a few years of occasionally having biliary colic/passing stones, which was blooming painful but by the time I got referred and saw a consultant it had really settled down. They offered to take it out but I decided against it. Have never had any issues in the last decade or so and glad I hung on to it!

Diagnosed with gallstones 20 years ago. Was told I needed removal surgery but discovered I was pregnant so surgery postponed.
I can always tell when they are beginning to grumble and change my diet accordingly for a while. Low fat, don't skip meals.
I presume they are still there. My GP said most aged people have them and they don't cause problems.

Meeeee - and I'm on the WLI too!

Had horrendous attack well over 2.5 years ago now, a couple of minor grumbles (and I mean don't even need painkillers, in the month or so after that!) and then started WLI Dec 24. Not had another one since. Still eat everything as before (although thanks to WLI just much less). So can have pizza, chocs, eggs, anything really.

When it flared up I'd have happily cut it out with a rusty spoon, but touching wood, since then it's been fine. I know in theory it can trigger again and if it does I'll consider it going, but I hate the thought of surgery as I'm a wuss. (And I was worried regarding my weight before, but to be fair that's now not an issue).

Yes I have had about four attacks. Had an ultrasound and they said it was full but all small so no point in putting myself through the surgery. That was a year ago and not had an attack since. If I do ever start I will have it out.

If it's any consolation it only lasts an hour or so buscopan took the edge right off it.

Thank you for the responses so far. I’m also a massive wuss and don’t want surgery. I’ve recently lost nearly 3 stone so I’m guessing this is why I’ve got them also.

your gpnsaid most people have them?? Oh I always thought they were quite rare. @LocalHobo

Apparently fat ,forty ,female and fair the four f's it is quite common in.

I had a couple of attacks 14 years ago, it was incredibly painful - worse than childbirth imo! My GP suggested I have my gallbladder removed, but I wasn't keen as i'm a complete wuss! I haven't experienced any pain since though 🤞

22 years ago I was admitted to hospital in severe pain. After 2 days of investigations I was diagnosed with gall stones and was taken to theatre to have my gall bladder removed. When I came round the surgeon told me that my gall bladder was intact as when they started they discovered that my gall bladder was not inflamed and investigated further found a ruptured appendix!
I still have my gall bladder and gall stones and no symptoms.

@2026isnear i have gallstones and still have my gallbladder. I know when I've been eating rubbish as I get a bit of pain but as long as I'm careful.... 🙏💛🤞

I had some awful attacks when I was 21. I decided against removing it as my mum had it done and had to run to the toilet after any food with a bit of fat in it.
I started eating healthily and it stopped. That was 20 years ago and not had an attack since even though I’ve eaten plenty of junk since then, including getting to 20 stone and losing it all.

Does anyone know what your gall bladder actually does in our bodies ?

As in, how big a thing is it to not have it / have it removed ?

It stores bile produced in your liver. When your gallbladder is gone, the bile goes directly from your liver, which is not as efficient, but still works.

Some people suffer from having to run to the bathroom to poop after gallbladder removal, but it usually resolves as your body adjusts.

I had my gallbladder out 30 years ago and never had any issues.

Thanks @Lizzieregina

There are lots of things in our bodies that I don't know what they do / are for
It's good to learn something new.

Me. I found I had them only recently when having a CT scan for another problem. They haven’t given me any trouble so far and I sincerely hope it stays that way.

An elderly friend of mine has just been in hospital with this, found them when they collapsed and were taken in to A&E. They had the camera down and I believe an incision was made to let the stones out.

@H202toohahaha interesting. I’m 30, mixed race and size 10 now - but was a 14 before!

Thank you everyone. I’m going to keep mine in for now I think and avoid heavy fats

What that is missing is women who are pregnant or postpartum. It’s also more common then. The increased estrogen can produce gallstones. That’s what happen to me. (I had mine out though)

Keep an eye on it op and do have it out if you keep getting pain again. There is actually a risk of pancreatitis.

It might only last an hour for you! This is not true for everyone.

OP they generally don't remove gallbladders when they find them if a person is symptom free or has mild and infrequent symptoms.

I had mine out almost as soon as it was discovered after 10 years of GPs and A and Es minimising my symptoms. This was because I only had one but it was very large.

It’s such a hard one. I feel like I’m either going to keep it in and live in fear of a painful attack forever or get it out and be petrified of surgery and as a result my ibs gets worse.

@Iocanepowderi have quite recently given birth. Oh no that’s so scary :( I’m going to feel anxious if it stays in!

Have buscopan ready just in case and if happens twice have it out. That's what I have said to myself. This was 2 years ago.